# [Center a rectangular embroidery design](https://threadcabin.com/explore/74/center-a-rectangular-embroidery-design)

> A 20 × 12 cm design centered on usable 30 × 24 cm fabric leaves 5 cm at left and right and 6 cm at top and bottom.

- Canonical page: https://threadcabin.com/explore/74/center-a-rectangular-embroidery-design
- Language: en
- Published: 2026-09-25T17:26:32.9366208+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-25T17:26:38.2572771+00:00
- Craft: Embroidery
- Primary image: [Center a rectangular embroidery design — measured quantities](https://threadcabin.com/images/learning/e14-plan.png)

A 20 × 12 cm design centered on usable 30 × 24 cm fabric leaves 5 cm at left and right and 6 cm at top and bottom.

## Work through the example

1. Measure the usable fabric rectangle, following its grain. Measure the full design extent, including any counted backstitch outside the main motif.
2. Subtract design width from fabric width and halve the difference; repeat independently for height. Mark centers lightly using a tested removable method.
3. Start at the chart location corresponding to your chosen reference point. If you offset the design, compare all four resulting margins before stitching.

## Check before committing

Geometric centering may look different from visual centering of an asymmetric motif. Leave enough fabric for the actual mounting and avoid permanent marks.

## Method and sources

These are original planning examples using the linked tools’ methods. Replace measured inputs with your own samples; a calculator cannot validate the construction. Keep the resulting measurements, choices and remaining checks with the project.

- [Embroiderers' Guild of America: five embroidery transfer methods](https://egausa.org/5-easy-methods-to-transfer-embroidery-patterns-to-fabric/)
- [DMC: using a transfer pen](https://www.dmc.com/FR/en-GB/video-embroidery-using-transfer-pen)

[Report a correction](/corrections).

[Browse editable craft templates](/crafts?craft=embroidery)

## Sources and provenance

- [Transfer an embroidery design without losing placement or detail](https://threadcabin.com/explore/19/transfer-an-embroidery-design-without-losing-placement-or-detail)
- [Embroidery design centering](https://threadcabin.com/tools/embroidery-design-centering)

## [Embroidery design centering](https://threadcabin.com/tools/embroidery-design-centering)

Calculate equal side and top margins before transferring a design.

Measure the usable fabric and the finished design in the same units. At 50% the free space is split equally; 0% places the design at the starting edge and 100% at the opposite edge.  Mark the calculated edges lightly and check both axes before stitching.

Remaining width and height are divided according to the selected 0–100% placement. Fifty percent centers the design; lower or higher values produce asymmetric margins. A design larger than the fabric is rejected.

- Fabric width: 30 cm
- Fabric height: 24 cm
- Design width: 20 cm
- Design height: 12 cm
- Horizontal placement (0 left, 100 right): 50 %
- Vertical placement (0 top, 100 bottom): 50 %